The IFP snatched all three wards from the ANC in by-elections in Newcastle on Wednesday despite the ruling party using government leaders to campaign hard in the city.
The by-elections followed the resignation of four ANC councillors who moved to the IFP.
The IFP won the fourth ward in January.
The ANC will be slightly consoled by winning the by-election in uMshwathi near Pietermaritzburg, where it scored 72%. The IFP got 24% of the vote and the EFF 2%.
In Newcastle Ward 12, the IFP received 1,973 votes, the ANC 763, and the EFF 94.
In Ward 19, the IFP got 1,566, the ANC 732, and the EFF 65.
In Ward 23, the IFP won 1,498, the ANC 315, and the EFF 35.
IFP KwaZulu-Natal youth chairperson Mncedisi Maphisa said the hard work of young people made it possible for the IFP to emerge victorious in the hotly contested by-elections.
“Our young people are making the statement that the ANC’s time is up, and they need to pack their bags and go,” said Maphisa.
“That is why our Premier candidate Thami Ntuli has made it clear that his first duty in office as Premier will be to place the City of eThekwini under administration. We are planning to improve the lives of our people.”
In uMshwathi, where the ANC retained Ward 6, former ANC Women’s League president Bathabile Dlamini said President Cyril Ramaphosa would be the only ANC face in the elections and that members must accept that.
But Dlamini has since announced her backing for the uMkhonto Wesizwe, led by former president Jacob Zuma.
In January, ANC provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo accused the IFP of bribing ANC councillors with offers of tenders, top posts in municipalities, and money to resign from their positions.
Pictured above: The IFP leadership was in a jovial mood on Thursday after winning three ANC wards in Newcastle.
Image source: Celani Sikhakhane
